John Swinney is installed as Scottish First Minister after Humza Yousaf ... trends now
John Swinney was officially installed as Scottish First Minister today after Humza Yousaf quit.
The new SNP leader was elected to the post in a Holyrood vote, with the Greens ensuring he could not be blocked.
The confirmation came hours after Mr Yousaf signed his resignation letter to the King, and gave a valedictory speech slamming 'bigots'.
Mr Swinney becomes the third holder of the top role in barely a year.
Attention will now turn to his Cabinet, with questions over whether Kate Forbes will be handed the key post as his deputy amid tensions over her devout Christian views. Appointments will happen after he is sworn in tomorrow.
Despite swipes that he is a 'Sturgeon apologist' and 'continuity' option, Mr Swinney was the only SNP leadership candidate running when nominations closed yesterday.
He managed to convince former finance secretary Ms Forbes to join his team rather than challenge him, in a move billed a 'stitch-up' by opponents.
John Swinney is set to be installed as Scottish First Minister after being confirmed as the new SNP leader yesterday
In a valedictory speech at Holyrood this afternoon, Humza Yousaf thanked colleagues who had shown him 'kindness' amid the 'toxic nature of our political debate'
Humza Yousaf officially quit as Scottish First minister today paving the way for John Swinney to be installed within hours
Mr Swinney won the backing of 64 MSPs, with his nearest rival Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross picking up 31. As the Greens abstained that was enough for a simple majority.
Pitching for the role in the chamber, Mr Swinney said: 'I hope we can all recognise that despite our political differences, we're all here because we want the best for Scotland, whatever our specific role happens to be.
'For me, it is with all my experience – but with much more than that – with my burning ambition for a better future for this country, that I am seeking to become first minister.'
He said his 'core belief' is that 'Scottish self-government is the right way forward for Scotland'.
He pledged to listen to those who voted for pro-independence parties in 2021 as well as those who did not.
Mr Yousaf said in his final speech: 'Let me offer thanks to every single colleague across the political divide for the kindnesses that you have shown me over the years.
'We often, and I'm guilty of this too, lament the toxic nature of our political debate and it's true, there is entrenched tribalism that feels difficult to free ourselves from.
'However I will remember far more fondly the kindness and generosity of
